Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-01-07


cinia Convention of 1861 to practice
the broad Americanism that Mr.
Clay advocated from his lofty ma
tional standpoint. | advocated his
nomination and election whenever
he was a candidate, and | remem.
her him only with pride as to his
public services" OF Daniel Web
ster Mr.. Stuart's recOllectlOns are
of a great mind in a great physical
structure. ale was the kindes; OF
men, said Mr.. Stuart with ten
derness that could not be appre-
ciated until he told how Mr.. Web
ster had warmed to himself and his
family when he became Secretary
of the Interior. Kindred domestic
Affections in both Mr.. Webster's
family and Mr.. Stuarts family
we're the inspiration of Mr.. Web
ster's sympathy with Mr. Stuart
and his wife.
Mr.. Stuart's part in the Fillmore
Administration was difficult. 1t is
of record that he labOred success
fully TO put in efficient working or
der the department that other de-
partments make a depository of
many of their own complications
a fact which Secretary Lamar prob.
ably has cognizance Of-and to the
present Secretary the eminent ex'
Secretary of the Interior pays sin
cere compliment. copy the letter
which made Mr.. Stuart, through
his own acceptance, a member of
the Cabinet:
My DEAR SIR: l am directed by
the President of the United States
to apprise You that it is his wish
TO nominate you to the Senate for
the office of Secretary of the De-
partment of the Interior. He deems
| it important, however, that no steps
should be taken on so important a
subject without first acquainting
himself with your wishes and in
cllnations. To ascertain these is
the object of this letter, which l
transmit by a messenger of the DE.
Dartment OF State, with directions
that if not found at your own resi-
dence lie proceed Immediately to
the place where you are supposed
to be, and there to receive your
answer. Let me assure you, my
dear Sir, that it is not only the sim
cere wish of the President, but also
of all of those whom on such an Oc-
casion he naturally cOnsults, that
you should not decline this offer
We all desire your efficient aid and
cooperation in the executive cOun-
sells of the Government at this i'm
portant crisis. The President hopes
that you may be able to repair to
your post at an early day, the ear
lier the better, as the place has
been some time vacant, and a com
petent discharge of its duties is es-
pecially desirable during the pres.
ent session of Congress. After that
some little interval might be in
dulged without detriment to the
public interest.
The bearer cf this is confidential.
If you please to signify your acqui'
escence in the Presidents wishes
to him he will telegraph this de-
partment on his return, as soon as
he reaches a telegraph station.
trust, my dear Sir, that both the
messenger and the wires will bring
us the agreeable intelligence Of
your acceptance. Very cordially
yours. DANL WEBSTER
The messenger of the State De
| partment waited an immediate an
swer to the letter of Mr.. Webster
which did not conceal the desire Of
the President for the services IL
| his counsels of the Virginian who
despite adverse political DONNA
tiou in his state, was a conspicuous
factor in the politics Of the Nation
Without the leverage Of a Whil
majority in Virginia MIR. Stuart wal
an interesting subject of inquiry
when, only 33 years old, he entered
the House of Representatives. Hi'
success there was immediate. "Th'
President in whose Cabinet | served
as Secretary of the Interior" saiC
Mr.. Stuart, twas a great and pur'
man. hardly think that the cOun
try appreciated his great abillt.
and the unstinted use he made o
his talents to serve his country.
Mr.. Stuart looked thoughtfully in
to the CRATE of blazing Goals witt
his hat on, bearing the emblem o
mourning for his wife, who ha'
been his constant companion TO
the 80 years Of their married life
as he said "FillmOre was the wlses
man in council that | ever knew.
l asked, "Did his failure to receiv
, the nomination that Gen. Scott n
T ceived disappOint him 2" mot a
all he hardly expected it. Nj
r Webster probably felt more disaI
pointment at bis own failure to 81
cure the nomination. Sometime
| think it hastened his death, whic
occurred a month or so before Tn
Presidential election" Recurrln
to Mr.. Fillmore, | asked Mr.. StuaI
why Fillmore loaned his name t
the uses of the Know Nothing G
, American party. "Because" wa
+ the quick reply, "demagOgues Mort
and South were engaged in purel
sectional agitation, and the Pres
dent sought refuge for his countr
f in some issue outside the trend
a sectional agitation"
t Recountlng the amenities OF IL
1 period of Fillmore and Pierce, NJ
= Stuart tells that he served seyer
q days in the Democratic Cabinet